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VIBE: Which international music scenes are most intriguing?Pauly D: Spain was cool, I went to Pacha in Spain, and they played a lot of good dance music. They know what’s up out there. It reminded me of New York. I always wanted to check out Australia’s clubs—I think the crowd would be crazy!

You spent a lot of time in Africa, 50. Were you influenced by any of their native tunes? 50 Cent: There are different perceptions of Africa. You start seeing bongos and shit, motherfuckers shaking. I didn’t pick up on that. In each of those different territories, they’re doing their version of American music.

But in the States, we’re emulating a lot of European sounds. Would you say the U.S. is leading or following in music trends?PD: I like to think it starts from us.50: We’re still leading. Look, we can have things in music culture that originated somewhere else. What American artist doesn’t have [Euro pop] hits? The producers are smart enough to find [a sound]. Generally it’s one guy’s idea that grows. That’s why it’s special, because everyone decides it’s cool at that point. I feel like reggaeton is hip-hop. The artists are using [our] cadences. I hear melodies, like, “What the fuck did you just say, homeboy? That right there was ill.” So we all influence each other.

How will your album influence global music, Pauly?PD: I’m an open-format DJ, so it’s gonna be a bit of everything. I put my personality into the album. People call me “the Bridge,” because I bridge that gap between dance, house and hip-hop.

Did 50 test any of his shelved Euro-inspired Black Magic material on you?50: I played him “Vegas Girl,” a song I did for recreational purposes. I’ll be somewhere and see the audience respond to it.PD: I was like, “This song is perfect!” It’s like a dance track, but it had that 50 Cent sway. He goes hard. Las Vegas is one of my favorite places to DJ—I love those girls. [Laughs]

Is there a DJ from outside of the U.S. that you’ve learned from?PD: I held the same residency as [London DJ] Paul Oakenfold in Las Vegas. He’s very, very talented, and all into the music like I am. I admired when he did the Perfecto tour, seeing what songs work for him, the crowd’s reaction…50: It’s the timing, too. I have actually seen DJs that just do a playlist. DJ Whoo Kid. He’d play a record, and I know what’s coming next. [Laughs]PD: I never made a set in my life, ever. Because I play clubs I’ve never spun at before. I gotta look at the people and how they react to each song. That’s how I’ll determine what I’m gonna play that night. They came to see me, so I wanna make their experience the best they ever had. —John Kennedy